About Mack Bailey:

Performs as Solo Singer / Songwriter, with his wife, Rachel Levy,

with The Limeliters, and with The Hard Travelers

You can tell a lot about singer songwriter Mack Bailey by the musical company he keeps.   Mack has been hailed as “the next great singer in folk music” by no less an authority than Glenn Yarbrough, the original tenor in the fabulous world-renowned folk trio, The Limeliters.  Mack’s career came full circle when in 2004 he was asked to be the newest tenor in The Limeliters, with whom he now performs around the country.

Using John Denver’s music, Mack taught himself to play the guitar, so it was a thrill for Mack when he had the privilege of trading verses to “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” with Denver in front of 9000 people shortly before John’s death.  Today, the Limeliters and John Denver continue to play an active role in Mack’s professional life, even as he pursues his successful solo career.  Mack has caught the attention of national folk music audiences with not only his Limeliters performances, but also with his prominent role in the nationally touring show “A Musical Tribute to John Denver” with many of John’s former band members and production crew.

Several of Denver’s former band members have also played on Mack’s albums, including Chris Nole, Pete Huttlinger, Jim Horn, and Bill Danoff.  Other music royalty has joined him as well: Mary Chapin Carpenter sang on his first album, which was produced by Bill Danoff of “Country Roads” and “Afternoon Delight” fame, and the Jordanaires contributed soulful background vocals on his album, Why I’m Here.  Denver’s long-time producer, Kris O’Connor, produced Mack’s Through Your Eyes album.  Most recently, prestigious musicians like Sam Bush, Pat Flynn, and Jack Pearson graced Mack’s album, Choose Your Attitude.

For almost two decades, Mack has been a principal member of the reunited 60s group, The Hard Travelers, with whom he has recorded five albums.  He has a rich history of major concert appearances having performed with or shared the stage as opener with a long list of folk and country stars including Brooks & Dunn, Randy Travis, Alabama, Barbara Mandrell, Chet Atkins, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill & Amy Grant, Kathy Mattea, Tom Rush, Tom Paxton, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kenny Rogers, Alan Jackson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Brad Paisley, Leann Rimes, Martina McBride and John Denver confirming that indeed, Mack keeps very good musical company.

Mack also performs with his wife, Rachel Levy, and the duo have been likened to a “similar pairing 40 years ago of Gram Parsons and a very young Emmylou Harris”. “Lucky Man”, written by Mack and Rachel, was chosen as a finalist in the 2006 mid-atlantic song contest in the country/bluegrass category and was also selected to be profiled in sing out! Magazine. In addition, this past fall “Lucky Man” was a feature song on NASCAR Angels. Mack and Rachel also co-penned “It’s Time”, which has received critical acclaim from former Vice-President Al Gore, as promoting environmental awareness. Mack was awarded for his excellence with a WAMMIE for Best Traditional Folk Performer, and his song “High Gear” has been featured on NPR’s popular Car Talk.

Originally hailing from the small town of Troy, North Carolina, Mack attended the North Carolina School of the Arts and graduated with a degree in music performance.  Besides writing, performing solo and in his two groups, and recording eight solo albums, Mack is musically active in several medical and environmental causes, including Maryland Therapeutic Riding, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, The Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Starlight Starbright, and Challenge Aspen.  Mack has also played in nursing homes and Alzheimer’s units playing group concerts and individual outreach, and he continues to enjoy working with school students on songwriting in their creative writing classes.  Mack currently resides in Denver, Colorado.

Mack and Rachel

Together, they receive glowing reviews:

To read a full interview with Mack, see Interview.

Press Articles: 

What's Being Written

About Mack

Quotes & Press Clips:

"The next great singer in folk music."

Glenn Yarbrough

About the song "It's Time"(written by Mack with Rachel Levy):  "I think it is great that you both are promoting environmental awareness in your new song "It's Time"."

Al Gore (former Vice-President)

“Mack is one of the better voices in the music business.” 

“Mack sings songs of the heart and life experiences with a voice and charm that mesmerizes his audiences.” 

Joyce Sica, Uptown Concerts

"Mack has the purest voice I have ever heard."

Curtis Young, The Jordanaires

"It's a pleasure to write arrangements for such a great voice."

Louis Nunley, The Jordanaires

"We would love to have Mack Bailey sing the National Anthem for every game."

Baltimore Orioles Productions

"Mack is a wonderful powerful singer.  When recording he sings so consistently and flawlessly that we don't need to re-do his vocal tracks and there were not many retakes.  That's better than most of the singers who come in here do."

Dave Sinko, recording engineer, Sound Emporium, Nashville

"A perfect-pitched tenor," and "DC area's most perfect tenor."

"Mack Bailey, to hear him is to have a spiritual awakening!"

Maureen Harrigan, MoFolk Productions

"Mack Bailey has a better-than-great tenor voice and the warmest most inviting way with a song and with an audience, whether he's touching their hearts or tickling their funny bone."

Kim Kaplan, Where? House Concerts

"There are two things that I especially like about Mack: He has an absolutely gorgeous tenor voice and he knows how to combine songs to do a great program.  If he performs in your area, he's not to be missed."

 Frank Allen Philpot, Bethesda Acoustic House Concerts

"Mack Bailey is a serious presence in the folk scene.  With very solid guitar work and an impressive tenor voice, Mack plays to an audience's heart and soul. Expressive and lyrical, his music touches on subjects from the deep felt love of a parent for his child, to a child-like wonder at the world around him.  Always a good show."

Scott Twiford, Big Bear Productions

"Mack Bailey is an entertainer beyond compare.  He has graciously given his time and talent to helping raise countless dollars for charities harbored by his inspiration, John Denver, as well as those of his own passion.  He is a true gift to the world of music."

Mary K. Ledford, EaglesHorses Productions

"Mack Bailey....a powerful tenor voice and a fine songwriter."

Pete Huttlinger, Finger picking guitar Champion

"When Mack Bailey sings a sensitive song or a powerful song, his versatility amazes me."

                                                        Jim Horn, touring and studio musician to many stars

"At the first John Denver Tribute concert at the Birchmere in January 1998, we had all of John's former band together but had lost the lead singer.  We didn't know who could fill John's shoes.  But when I heard Mack Bailey sing, I knew it would be OK."

                                                        Steve Weisberg, John Denver's former touring and studio guitar and dobro player

"The first time you hear Mack sing, you quickly focus on the beauty of his voice and his mastery of the guitar -- once you come to know him, you quickly realize that his most precious gift of all is the size of his heart."

Richard Mattingly, Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

"We would not consider doing an event without Mack Bailey."

Larry Kushner, Executive Director, M. U. S. E.  Foundation

"He has a wonderful way with children and adults and has made a significant contribution to improving the environment through his music and presence."

Jerriann Wilson, Director, Child Life Department, Johns Hopkins Children's Center

"It is impossible to listen to him sing his music and to not feel changed.  You know you are being given a gift that is so special and so valuable because he is truly giving you a piece of his heart.  It shines through in every genre, too!"

Naomi Parry, Executive Director, Maryland Therapeutic Riding

"The star attraction of the pops portion of the program was local favorite, Mack Bailey, whose folksy tenor, guitar playing and whistling are reminiscent of John Denver.  He's funny, too!  Filling Maryland Hall with vocal and human warmth, he was the consummate one-man show.  His renditions of "The Nearness of You" and "Eagles and Horses" made me want to run out and buy all of his recordings.

- Jane Elkin, "The Capital" Newspaper, Annapolis

Artists with whom Mack has performed

or opened for (often with The Hard Travelers):

Festivals & Concert Series

Avalon Folk Festival, Paw Paw, WV

Bethlehem Musikfest, Bethlehem, PA

Country Roads Folk Festival, Kearneysville, WV

Kerrville Folk Festival, Kerrville, TX

Orioles Park, Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD

Philadelphia Folk Festival, Philadelphia, PA

Red Rocks Amphitheater, Morrison, CO

Rocky Gap Folk Festival, NC

Shenandoah Folk Series

Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival, Darlington, MD

Takoma Park Folk Festival, Takoma Park, MD

Third Thursday Coffeehouse Series, Mofolk, BlackRock Center, Germantown, MD

Tribute to John Denver Shows, Nationwide & Wheeler Opera House, Aspen, CO

Uptown Concerts, Baltimore & Sykesville, MD

UWashington Folklore Society's Folk Festival & Coffeehouses

Winter Folk Festival, Florence, OR

World's Fair, Knoxville, TN